15 December 2004	Wednesday	02 Ziqa'ad 1425

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 14: Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Quaid and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has taken strong exception to the decision to exclude religion column from new passports , and termed it a part of the Musharraf government's plan to turn Pakistan into a secular country.

The PML-N chief phoned the in charge of party's central secretariat and directed him to raise the issue at the party platform, a press release issued here on Tuesday said.

Mr Sharif said the people of Pakistan must not accept this measure. "If the people keep silent on this issue, the present dictatorial government, which has already mutilated the Constitution, will be encouraged to delete the words Islamic Republic from Pakistan's official designation," he added.

The former prime minister said the government's arguments that Saudi passports also did not mention the religion of the holder were misplaced as 100 per cent Saudis were Muslims and no non-Muslim enjoyed Saudi citizenship. "Since every passport holder is a Muslim, there is no need of a religion column," he said.